Restraining device



Dec. 17, 1929. 0. K. KJOLSETH RESTRAINING DEVICE Filed July 24, 1928Inventor: Ole K. K olseth,

Hi5 Attorneg;

Patented Dec. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE OLE K. KJOLSETH, OFSCOTIA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OFNEW YORK RESTRAINING DEVICE Application filed July 24,

My invention relates to restraining devices for locomotives or carswhich are adapted to restrict oscillatory movement between the framestructure of adjacent units of a locomotive or between adjacent platformstructures of locomotives or cars which are coupled together.

It is necessary to couple locomotives or cars in such manner that theframe or platform structures thereof can move laterally relative to eachother in rounding a curve. As a result, when they are running along astraight portion of the track the unevenness in the track sets uposcillation or nosing of the frames or platform structures which isobjectionable because it subjects the track to excessive lateralstresses, causes rapid wearing of the wheel flanges and also makesriding uncomfortable for passengers. It has been proposed heretofore torestrict this oscillation or nosing of the frames of locomotives or carsby spring pressed buffer plates engaging the coupling between them so asto resist lateral movement of the coupler relative to the frames. Theuse of bufiers for this purpose has not been effective because thebuffer plates soon become worn and offer little or no resistance tooscillation of the frames or platform structures and, moreover, suchbuffers do not exert any force tending to restore longitudinal alignmentof theframes or platforms with each other. It has also been proposed touse springs for resisting this swaying or nosing, but they haveordinarily been connected so that the force exerted thereby on theframes increased in proportion to their displacement laterally withrespect to each other. This arrangement tended to exaggerate anyoscillation set up between the frame structures because considerableenergy was stored up in the springs when the frames were moved laterallywith respect to each other, which could only be dissipated by thefrictional resistance of the coupling and restraining device. As thisfrictional resistance was comparatively small considerable oscillationbetween the frames was required to absorb the energy stored up in thesprings.

The object-of my invention is to provide 1928. Serial No. 294,991.

an improved restraining device which is adapted to exert a force tendingto restore longitudinal alignment of the frame or platform structures oflocomotives or cars that are coupled. together, which is substantiallyconstant throughout the range of lateral relative movement between theframe or platform structures when they are displaced relative to eachother due to unevenness of the track or other causes, and which will notprevent the relative movement between the frame structures required whenthe locomotive or cars round a curve. I accomplish this by providingmeans connected between the frame or platform structures of locomotivesor cars which permits relative lateral movement between them and exertsa substantially constant force urging the frame structures intolongitudinal alignment when they are displaced therefrom, comprising aspring carried by each of the frame structures and a suitable linkageconnecting the springs.

My invention will be more fully set forth in the following descriptionreferring to the accompanying drawing, and the features of novelty whichcharacterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed to and forming part of this specification.

The single figure of the drawing illustrates the frame structures ofadjacent locomotives or cars, which are coupled together, having myimproved restraining device applied thereto.

Referring to the drawing, two adjacent frames 10 of locomotives or carsare coupled together by a link 11 which is pivotally con nected to eachof the frames at 12, although it is to be understood that any othersuitable coupling device may be used to couple the frames.

When the locomotives or cars are running on a straight portion of thetrack unevenness therein causes the frames 10 to oscillate or swayrelative to each other. The swaying or nosing of the frames of thelocomotives or cars is avoided in accordance with my inventionbyproviding meansfor applying a substantially constant'force throughoutthe range of their movement relative to each other without preventingthe degree of relative movement between them required in rounding acurve.

When the coupled locomotive units or cars round a sharp curve therelative movement between them may be considerable, and in order toprovide for the necessary movement and at the same time exert asubstantially constant force urging them into longitudinal alignment, Imount similar mechas nisms on each of the frames which are connectedtogether by a suitable linkage. In the particular construction which Ihave shown, as illustrative of one manner of carrying out my invention,each of these mechanisms comprises a rocker 13 having bearing portions14% which are spaced apart transversely of the frame on which the rockermounted and which engage seats 15 formed in a bearing member 16 boltedat 17 to the frames. The bearing portions 14 of the rocker 13 arenormally retained in engagement with seats 15 of the bearing member bycoil springs 18 and 19. These springs are retained in compressionbetween the bearing member 16 and a spring retainerQO, by a tension bar21. The tension bar, which ex: tends axially through the springs 18 and19 and the spring retainer, is pivotally connected to the rocker 13 at22 and is threaded to receive nuts 23 for adjusting thetension of thesprings.

The spring retainer 20- is provided with a bearing portion 2a whichslijdably fits in an opening 25 formed in the frame 10 so that springs18 and 19 will be maintained in axial alignment when they are compressedby a tilting movement of the rocker 13. on hearing member 16. Therockers 13 attached to eachof the frames 10 are pivotally connected at26 to a link 27 which of such length that when the frames 10 are inlongitudinal align ment, the bearing portions 14 of each of the rockersis retained in engagement with the seats 15 of the bearing members. Itwill therefore be apparent that when the frames 10 are in longitudinalalignment the springs do not exert any force thereon. However, when theframes 10 move laterally relative to each other the linl; 27 tilts oneor both of the rockers 13 about one of the bearing portions, 14 thereofin engagement with one of the seats 15 and raises the other bearingportion from the other of the seats 15 which normally engages the sameso to cgmpress the springs 18 and 19 and exert a force tending torestore the frames to longitudinal alignment, course, the relativemovement e n the ame is ery reat, as in mind: a a b h reck r fl w l. betilt d in this m r 1 1 O der t mak th ter e b al y n tant hich is ex red y the p i g nding Whiting the fr re s 1 s l ngitudin l alignment ea gP913 me 6f th 30919. 3 15 are 9 arranged aative to the pivotalconnection 26 to the tension bar 22 that the lever arm of the forceexerted by the springs 18 and 19 on the lOClier 13, which resiststilting of the rocker, 1s decreased in approximately the same proportionas the compression of the spring increases. In this way the moment'offorce exerted by the springs on the rockers is substantially constant asthis moment is equal to the product of the force of the springs and thelever arm of the force about the bearing portion, engaging the seat onthe bearing member.

In view of the foregoing it is apparent that I have provided an improvedrestraining device between adj acent, coupled locomotires 0 rsvh h il se cly r sist b-- jecti'onable swaying or nosing without pre venting therelative movement between them required in rounding a curve.

Vvhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1. In combination with two adjacent frame structures of locomotives orcars, means forconnecting said frame structures together so as to permitlateral relative movement be: tween them, and means for applying asubstantially constant force urging said frame structures intolongitudinal alignment when they are displaced therefrom, said meanscomprising a rocker and spring attached to each of said frame structuresand linh con: necting said rockers 2. In combination with two adjacentframe structures of locomotives or cars, means for connecting said framestructures together so as to permit lateral relative movement betweenthem, and means for applying a sub: stantially constant force urgingsaid frame structures into longitudinal alignment when they aredisplaced therefrom, said means comprising a rocker, a compressionspring attached to each of said frame structures, and a link connectingsaid rockers.

3. In combination with two adjacent frame structures of locomotives orcars, means for connecting said frame structures together so as topermit lateral relative movement between them, and means for (1137plying a substantially constant force urging said frame structures intolongitudinal alignment when they are displaced therefrom; said meanscomprising a rocker on each of said frame Structureshaving bearing portions spaced apart transversely of said frame structures, a springassociated with eachof said rockers, means including a tension barconnected to each of said rockers between the bearing P ion th reef forreta nin said p i g d r mpresses, a d, a inkec inesaid ckers.

4-112 e biila en th We edi f am s ru tures f l se-m ti es or" care mentbetween them, and means for applying a substantially constant forceurging said frame structures into longitudinal alignment when they aredisplaced therefrom,

5 said means comprising a rocker on each of said frame structures havingbearing portions spaced apart transversely of said frame structures, aspring associated with each of said rockers, a tension bar connected toeach m of said rockers between the bearing portions thereof forretaining said springs under compression, and a link extendingtransversely between said frame structures and connecting said rockers.

15 5. In combination with two adjacent frame structures of locomotivesor cars, means for connecting said frame structures together so as topermit lateral relative move ment between them, and means for applying20 a substantially constant force urging said frame structures intolongitudinal alignment when they are displaced therefrom. said meanscomprising a rocker on each of said platforms having hearing portionsspaced apart transversely of said platforms,

a spring associated with each of said rockers,

a tension bar connected to each of said rockers between the bearingsurfaces thereon for retaining said spring under compression, a

so guide for each of said tension bars carried by said platforms, and alink connecting said rockers.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 23rd day of July,1928.

OLE K. KJOLSETH.

